Teaching preschoolers about space can be a fun and engaging way to spark their curiosity and imagination! The following provides a variety of experiences for children can engage in.
1. Space-Themed Books
Reading books about space is a great way to introduce young children to the topic. Some popular choices include:
- “There’s No Place Like Space” by Tish Rabe
- “Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me” by Eric Carle
- “The Darkest Dark” by Chris Hadfield
2. Hands-On Activities
- Galaxy Dough: Create your own galaxy dough using glitter and dark colors to mimic the night sky.
- Telescope Decorating: Use paper towel tubes to create and decorate telescopes, discussing how scientists use them to observe stars and planets1.
- Space Sensory Bin: Fill a bin with small dark rocks, glow-in-the-dark stars, and other space objects.
3. Art Projects
- Marbled Planets: Use marbles, paint, and shaving cream to create planet art.
- Planet Suncatchers: Decorate circular wax paper pieces as planets to hang in your windows.
- Rocket Names: Create a craft where children spell out their names on a rocket ship.
4. Songs and Music
- Incorporate space-themed songs into your circle time. Songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon” can be both fun and educational.
- 5 Little Stars
- We're Flying To The Moon
- Five Little Astronauts
- Climb Aboard The Spaceship
5. Simple Science Concepts
- Night and Day: Explain the concept of night and day using a flashlight and a globe.
- Phases of the Moon: Use Oreo cookies to demonstrate the different phases of the moon.
6. Dramatic Play
- Set up a space station in your classroom with astronaut costumes, control panels, and space-themed props. This can encourage imaginative play and help children learn through role-playing.
7. Space-Themed Snacks
- Rocket Fruit Kabobs: Use skewers to create fruit rockets with grapes, strawberries, and melon slices.
- Moon Cheese: Serve cheese balls as “moon rocks” for a fun snack.
8. Space Story Time
- Storytelling with Puppets: Use space-themed puppets to tell stories about astronauts and space adventures.
- Interactive Storybooks: Choose books that allow children to participate by pressing buttons or lifting flaps.
9. Space Exploration Videos
- Short Educational Videos: Show age-appropriate videos about space, such as clips from NASA’s website or educational YouTube channels.
- Virtual Planetarium: Use apps or websites that offer virtual tours of the night sky and planets.
10. Space-Themed Games
- Astronaut Training: Set up an obstacle course where children can pretend to be astronauts training for a mission.
- Planet Hop: Create a game where children hop from one “planet” (hula hoop) to another, learning the names of the planets as they go.
- Space Gross Motor Movement Cards - Space Gross Motor Movement Cards are a great way to get children moving enabling children to use whole body actions. Each action is simple to follow and movements are based on a space theme.
11. Space Crafts
- Starry Night Sky: Use black construction paper and white paint to create a starry night sky. Add glitter for extra sparkle.
- Alien Masks: Make alien masks using paper plates, paint, and other craft supplies.
12. Space Science Experiments
- Rocket Launch: Create simple rockets using baking soda and vinegar. This can be a fun outdoor activity.
- Gravity Experiment: Drop different objects to see how gravity affects them, discussing why things fall to the ground.
13. Space-Themed Yoga
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Space Yoga Poses: Incorporate yoga poses that mimic space objects, like “star pose” or “rocket pose.” This can help with mindfulness and physical activity.
14. Space Theme Songs And Rhymes
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Original Space Songs: Create your own space-themed songs or rhymes with the children. This can be a fun way to reinforce what they’ve learned.
15. Space Theme Art
- Constellation Art: Use stickers or stamps to create constellations on dark paper.
- Planet Mobiles: Create mobiles with planets and stars to hang from the ceiling.
16. Space Themed Sensory Play
- Moon Sand: Make moon sand using flour and baby oil. This can be a great sensory activity.
- Space Slime: Create slime with glitter and dark colors to represent space.
17. Space Printables
- Planet Flashcards
- Space Colouring Pages
- Space Pom Pom Mats
- Space Tracing Lines
- Stars In Space Counting
- Planet Information Posters - Cartoon
- Planet Posters
Linking To The EYLF
Linking a space theme to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Version 2.0 can be a fantastic way to support children’s learning and development across multiple areas. Here are some ideas on how to align your space-themed activities with the EYLF V2.0 principles, practices, and outcomes:
Principles
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Secure, Respectful, and Reciprocal Relationships
- Activity: Create a collaborative space mural where each child contributes a part of the galaxy. This fosters teamwork and respect for each other’s contributions.
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Partnerships
- Activity: Invite families to share their knowledge or experiences related to space, such as a parent who works in a related field or has a telescope at home.
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High Expectations and Equity
- Activity: Ensure all children have access to materials and opportunities to participate in space-themed activities, adapting tasks to meet individual needs.
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Respect for Diversity
- Activity: Explore how different cultures view the stars and planets, incorporating stories and myths from various cultures.
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Ongoing Learning and Reflective Practice
- Activity: Reflect on the children’s interests and questions about space, using these reflections to plan further activities and discussions.
Practices
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Holistic Approaches
- Activity: Integrate space themes across various learning areas, such as art (creating planets), science (learning about gravity), and literacy (reading space-themed books).
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Responsiveness to Children
- Activity: Follow the children’s lead in exploring space topics they are curious about, such as black holes or astronauts.
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Learning Through Play
- Activity: Set up a space station dramatic play area where children can role-play as astronauts, scientists, and engineers.
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Intentional Teaching
- Activity: Plan specific learning experiences, such as a simple rocket launch experiment, to teach scientific concepts like propulsion and gravity.
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Cultural Competence
- Activity: Include stories and activities that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on the night sky and constellations1.
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Continuity of Learning and Transitions
- Activity: Use space-themed activities to help children transition between different parts of the day, such as a “blast off” countdown to signal clean-up time.
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Assessment for Learning
- Activity: Observe and document children’s engagement and learning during space-themed activities to inform future planning.
Learning Outcomes
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Children Have a Strong Sense of Identity
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Activity: Encourage children to create their own “astronaut identity” with personalized space suits and badges.
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Children Are Connected With and Contribute to Their World
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Activity: Discuss how space exploration contributes to our understanding of the world and involves teamwork and international cooperation.
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Children Have a Strong Sense of Wellbeing
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Activity: Incorporate space-themed yoga or mindfulness activities, such as “star pose” or “moon breathing.”
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Children Are Confident and Involved Learners
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Activity: Engage children in hands-on experiments and problem-solving activities related to space, fostering curiosity and confidence.
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Children Are Effective Communicators
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Activity: Encourage children to share their space discoveries and stories with peers, using drawings, models, or presentations.
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By aligning your space-themed activities with the EYLF V2.0, you can create a rich, engaging learning environment that supports children’s development across multiple domains.
References:
Space, Teaching2and4 Year Olds
Space Activities, Pocket of Preschool
Teaching About Space, Playful Home Education
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